Head encircling sensory deprivation pillow

ABSTRACT

A noise and light occluding sleep-enhancing device  10  is disclosed, the device having an elongated pillow portion  12  with attachment members  16, 18  disposed on opposite ends of said elongated pillow portion. When in use, the sleep-enhancing device surrounds a user&#39;s head, thereby suppressing both noise and light and providing a user with a comfortable pillow for the full lateral circumference of the user&#39;s head.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/273,443, filed Aug. 5, 2009, which is entirelyincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to pillows; more particularly,the present invention relates to sleep-enhancing devices for resting auser's head while occluding light and sound during use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A full and restful sleep period is necessary to a full and productivewaking period. However, an individual often sleeps in a situation thatis uncomfortable, bright and/or noisy. For example, travelingbusinesspeople often find it necessary to sleep in loud, bright anduncomfortable airplanes, and college students often find it necessary tonap and/or sleep at their library tables, desks or student centers.Unfortunately, the sleep achieved in such situations is ofteninterrupted by light, noise and discomfort, thereby limiting thebenefits of the sleep period.

Many devices have been invented with the intention of occludingsleep-distracting stimuli, including light and noise. For example, U.S.Pat. No. 2,537,768 to Laporte (“Laporte”), which is entirelyincorporated herein by reference, teaches an eye mask with a strap meansof securing around a user's head, to which are attached ear pluggingmeans. While the device of Laporte occludes both light and sound, thedevice requires that unsanitary and uncomfortable earplugs be insertedinto the user's ears, and further fails to provide any means of paddingfor the user's head, thereby necessitating the user to use a separateexpensive and bulky pillow device to attain comfortable conditions forsleep.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,561 to Adamo (“Adamo”), which is entirely incoherein by reference, teaches an eye mask with a method for attachmentaround a user's ears. Although this device can occlude sound, itselastic means of attachment is impractical and uncomfortable. The deviceof Adamo also discloses a separate “U” shaped device to be worn around auser's neck to provide neck support. However, the “U” shaped device islimiting in the variety of sleeping positions it affords a user, andwould be of little use if it were to be displaced in sleep. Further,having two separate units is inconvenient to pack and transport,expensive to manufacture and complicated to use.

A number of inventions have disclosed devices that can both insulate auser from sleep-distracting events, including noise and light, whileproviding concurrent padding for a user's head. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 6,651,256 to Swift (“Swift”), which is entirely incorporated hereinby reference, teaches a wearable pillow device to be worn in the mannerof a helmet. The device of Swift incorporates a light-occluding portionand a head-surrounding pillow portion. However, this device is bulky,expensive to manufacture, complicated to wear and impractical totransport and use. Further, this device is supplemented by a “U” shapedpillow portion to support a user's head, thereby limiting the variety ofthe user's possible sleeping positions.

As another example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,088,836 to de Cordova (“deCordova”), which is entirely incorporated herein by reference, teaches asleep enhancing device to be worn around a user's head, the devicehaving a light occlusion portion attached to a padded head restwrap-around pillow portion. While de Cordova teaches a means of lightand noise occlusion and a means of padding for the sides and back of theuser's head, its construction is complicated and expensive tomanufacture. Further, its design requires that it be worn in strictorientation on a user's head, and as such, its effectiveness iscompromised when displaced during sleep. Most importantly, the device ofde Cordova fails to provide a means of padding for the front portion ofa user's head, rendering the device ineffective a uncomfortable for auser sleeping in a position in which the front portion of the user'shead and face, such as the user's forehead, ocular regions, nasalregions, cheekbones and temple regions, are resting against a firmsurface (e.g., desk).

Generally, there are limitations associated with prior artsleep-enhancing devices. For example, prior art sleep enhancing devicesare uncomfortable and complicated to use, inconvenient to transport,expensive to manufacture, can be rendered ineffective if shifted duringuse, and can fail to provide sufficient padding for a user's head duringuse.

There is thus a need for improved sleep enhancing devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an aspect of the invention, a sleep-enhancing device is provided thatminimizes auditory and visual sensory stimulation while allowing a usercomfortable padding for the full lateral circumference of the user'shead.

In an aspect of the invention, a sleep-enhancing device is provided, thesleep-enhancing device comprising an elongated pillow portion configuredto fully encircle a user's head, the elongated pillow portion configuredto cover a user's eyes and ears when encircling the user's head, theelongated pillow portion configured to provide padding to a lateralcircumference of a user's head when encircling the user's head. Thesleep-enhancing device further comprises attachment members disposed onopposite ends of the elongated pillow portion, the attachment membersconfigured to mount the pillow portion to a user's head.

In another aspect of the invention, a sleep-enhancing device isprovided, the sleep-enhancing device comprising an elongated pillowportion configured to surround the lateral circumference of a user'shead, the elongated pillow portion configured to cover a user's eyes andears when surrounding the user's head. The sleep-enhancing devicefurther comprises a flap portion attached to a first end of theelongated pillow portion, a first attachment member disposed on the flapportion, and a second attachment member disposed on a secor theelongated pillow portion, the second end being opposite the first end.The first and second attachment members are configured to mount theelongated pillow portion to a user's head so as to cover the user's eyesand ears and provide padding for the lateral circumference of the user'shead.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a sleep-enhancing device isprovided, the sleep-enhancing device comprising an elongated pillow, theelongated pillow defined by one or more pillow members, the elongatedpillow configured to wrap around a user's head with the aid ofattachment members, the elongated pillow configured to cover a user'seyes and ears. The elongated pillow is configured to fully encompass auser's head. In an embodiment, the attachment members are disposed atopposite ends of the elongated pillow.

In still another aspect of the invention, a sleep-enhancing device isprovided, the sleep-enhancing device comprising an elongated pillowhaving one or more pillow members, the elongated pillow configured tocover a user's eyes and ears, wherein the elongated pillow has anadjustable length. The sleep-enhancing device can include one or morefastening members attached to opposite ends of the elongated pillow.

In embodiments, sleep-enhancing devices are described that can enable auser to sleep comfortably by providing padding for the front, side andrear portions of the user's head, including the forehead, templeregions, ocular regions, cheekbones and nasal regions. Sleep-enhancingdevices of embodiments enable a user to rest the user's face on a firmor hard surface during rest or sleep.

Sleep-enhancing devices of embodiments of the invention are configuredto remain comfortable and effective if laterally displaced during sleep.These devices are configured to occlude light from disturbing a usersleep while in use. In addition, sleep-enhancing device of embodimentsof the invention minimize auditory disturbance while in use. Thesedevices can be easily adjusted to fit many different sized heads. Furtheenhancing devices of embodiments of the invention require little or nostrict orientation around the lateral circumference of a user's head foreffective use. Sleep-enhancing devices of embodiments of the inventioncan be wrapped around a user's forehead for comfortable support whenocclusion of noise and light is not desired by the user.

Any stated objects and advantages of the invention are only examples andshould not be construed as limiting this invention. Other objects andadvantages of the invention herein will become more apparent from adescription of the invention and the claims that follow.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in thisspecification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent asif each individual publication, patent, or patent reference wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity inthe appended claims. A better understanding of the features andadvantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to thefollowing detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments,in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and theaccompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a sleep-enhancing device, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. The sleep enhancingdevice is attached to the user by way of a hook-and-loop type fastener;

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a sleep-enhancing device when notmounted) to a user's head, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a sleep-enhancing device when notaffixed to a user's head, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a sleep-enhancing device when notaffixed to a user's head, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a sleep-enhancing device, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. The sleep-enhancingdevice can be attached to a user's head by way of an elastic fastener;and

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a sleep-enhancing device, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. The sleep-enhancingdevice is defined by a single donut-shaped pillow member, which can slipover the top of a user's head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While preferable embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatsuch embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerousvariations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilledin the art without departing from the invention. It should be understoodthat various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention describedherein can be employed in practicing the invention.

In embodiments of the invention, sleep-enhancing devices (also“rest-enhancing devices” herein) are provided for occluding noise andsound during sleep, while providing a user comfort in both design anduse. In addition, sleep-enhancing devices of embodiments can be moreeconomical and efficient in construction and use when compared to atleast some prior art sleep-enhancing devices. Sleep-enhancing devices ofembodiments can advantageously remain effective even if shifted duringuse, and provide substantial padding for the full lateral circumferenceof a user's head, thereby permitting the user a mu range of comfortablesleeping positions.

In various embodiments of the invention, sleep-enhancing devices areprovided comprising an elongated pillow portion affixed to a flapportion with a first attachment member disposed on the flap portion. Thefirst attachment member is complementary to a second attachment memberaffixed to the opposite end of the elongated pillow portion.

In an aspect of the invention, a sleep-enhancing device is provided. Thesleep-enhancing device is configured to enable a user to comfortablyrest the user's head against a surface while preventing light fromentering the user's eyes and sound from entering the user's ears.

Reference will now be made to the figures, wherein like numerals referto like parts throughout. It will be appreciated that the figures (andstructures therein) are not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate a sleep-enhancing device 10 (“device”), inaccordance with embodiments of the invention. Device 10 includes anelongated pillow portion 12, a flap portion 14, and a first attachmentmember 16 and a second attachment member 18. The first and secondattachment members (also “attachment means” herein) 16 and 18 areconfigured to attach (or mount) the device 10 to a user's head.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-3, the first and second attachmentmembers 16, 18 can be hook and loop fasteners attached to the flapportion 14 and the distal end of the pillow portion 12 from the flapportion 14, respectively. In an embodiment, the attachment members 16and 18 can be sewn onto the flap portion 14 and the distal end of thepillow portion 12. In an embodiment, the pillow portion 12 isfabric-covered pillow fill. The flap portion 14 can include the samefabric as the cover of the pillow portion 12. When the device 10 iswrapped around a user's head to function as a wrap-around pillow, thefirst attachment member (also “attachment means” herein) 16 disposedupon flap portion 14 remov connects to the second attachment member 18located on the opposite end of the elongated pillow portion 12 from theflap portion 14.

In an embodiment, the device 10 can include a cover portion that coversthe pillow portion 12 of the device 10. The cover portion can beremovable from the pillow portion 12.

In an embodiment, the attachment members 16 and 18 are Velcro®. In sucha case, one of the first and second attachment members 16, 18 caninclude the hook fasteners, and the other of the first and secondattachment members 16, 18 can include the loop fasteners. In anotherembodiment, the attachment members 16 and 18 are one of a magnet andanother of a material that is attractable by the magnet. For example,the first attachment member 16 can be formed of a material configured toinduce a magnetic field, such as a plate magnet, and the secondattachment member 18 can be a plate (e.g., rigid plate, flexible plate)that will be attracted towards the first attachment member 16 when theattachment member are sufficiently close to one another.

In embodiments, the device 10 is of sufficient size to fit comfortablyaround a user's head, while covering the user's eyes and ears. In anembodiment, the device 10 is from about 71 centimeters to 100centimeters (28 inches to 40 inches)long, as measured from the end ofthe pillow portion 10 and the flap portion 14, and from about 10centimeters to 20 centimeters (4 inches to 8 inches) wide. The flapportion 14 is of sufficient length so as to allow the first attachmentmember 16 disposed thereupon to secure at various points to thecomplementary (second) attachment member 18 when the device 10 iswrapped around the user's head, thereby allowing the user to adjust thetension of the device 10 around the user's head.

In an embodiment, the device 10 and components of the device 10 can anatural or synthetic fabric, or any other sufficiently flexible andstrong material, such as a polymeric material, plastic films, inflatablerubbers, leathers, and the like. In an embodiment, the material isselected so as to provide comfortable padding to the user's head whilesufficiently scattering light away from the user's eyes and sound awayfrom the user's ears. For instance, the material comprising the coveringof the elongated pillow portion 12 and the flap portion 14 can be madeof a natural or synthetic fabric or any other sufficiently flexible andstrong material. The stuffing of the elongated pillow portion 12 can becomposed of any material of sufficient softness so as to providecomfortable padding for the user's head (including eyes and ears), suchas any variety of synthetic pillow fill, foam, air, feathers, down,microbeads, husks and the like. The attachment members 16, 18 can be anytype of attachment means of sufficient strength so as to keep the devicefastened together, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, ties, buttons,snaps, clips, hook and eye fasteners, magnetic plates of oppositepolarity, or a combination of a magnetic plate and a materialattractable to the magnetic plate.

With reference to FIG. 1, a method of attaching the device 10 to auser's head includes the user wrapping the device 10 around the user'shead and securing the device 10 to the user's head by bringing the firstattachment member 16 in contact with the second attachment member 18. Insuch a case, the device 10 can be secured comfortably around the lateralcircumference of the user's head, covering the user's eyes and ears, andis held in place by the conjoining of fastening members 16, 18.

The first and second attachment members 16 and 18 can be sized andpositioned so as to provide a user flexibility in the manner in whichthe device 10 is attached to the user's head. For instance, theattachment members 16 and 18 can be configured to permit the user toattach the device 10 to the user's head with only a portion of the firstattach member 16 being in contact with the second attachment member 18.

With reference to FIG. 3, the flap portion 14 has a thickness that issmaller than a thickness of the elongated pillow portion 10. Inembodiments, the thickness of the flap portion 14 is from about 0.3centimeters to 5 centimeters (⅛ inches to 2 inches) and the thickness ofthe elongated pillow portion 10 is from about 5 centimeters to 13centimeters (2 inches to 5 inches).

In various embodiments, the length of any of the sleep-enhancing devicesprovided herein can be adjustable. In an embodiment, the length of theflap portion 14 is adjustable. In such a case, the sleep-enhancingdevice can be configured to function with various sized heads. In anembodiment, the flap portion 14 can be configured to extend out of andretract into the pillow portion 12 of the device. This advantageouslypermits a user to adjust the length of the device 10 to conform to theuser's head.

With reference to FIG. 4, in other embodiments, a sleep-enhancing device20 is depicted. Device 20 is comprised of an elongated pillow portion 22and two attachment members, a first attachment member 24 and a secondattachment member 26. In an embodiment, the attachment members 24, 26can identical to the attachment members 16, 18 described above.

In an embodiment, the attachment members 24, 26 are hook and loopfasteners (e.g., Velcro®) sewn onto the ends of the pillow portion 22,and the pillow portion 22 is a fabric-covered pillow fill. In anembodiment, the pillow portion 22 is formed of a pillow-fill materialand covered with a fabric. When the device 20 is wrapped around a user'shead to function as a wrap-around pillow, the first attachment member 24removably connects to the second attachment member 26.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, the device 20 is of sufficient sizeto comfortably around a user's head, while covering the user's eyes andears. In an embodiment, the device 20 can be from about 71 centimetersto 100 centimeters (28 inches to 40 inches) long, as measured from theend of the ends of the device 20, and from about 10 centimeters to 20centimeters (4 to 8 inches) wide. The attachment members 24, 26 can beof sufficient length so as to secure at various points to each otherwhen the device 20 is wrapped around the user's head, thereby allowingthe user to adjust the tension of the device 20 around the user's head.In an embodiment, with a portion of the first attachment member 24 beingin contact with the second attachment member 26, the device 20 can besecurely attached to the user's head.

In an embodiment, the device 20 can include a cover portion that coversthe pillow portion 22 of the device 20. The cover portion can beremovable from the pillow portion 22.

In an embodiment, the device the device 20, including the pillow portion22, can be formed of stuffing material enclosed by a covering material.The material comprising the covering of the elongated pillow portion 22can include a natural or synthetic fabric or any other sufficientlyflexible and strong material, such as plastic films, inflatable rubbers,leathers, and the like. The stuffing of the elongated pillow portion 22can be comprised of any material of sufficient softness so as to providecomfortable padding for the user's head, such as any variety ofsynthetic pillow fill, foam, air, feathers, down, microbeads, husks andthe like. The attachment members 24, 26 can be any type of attachmentmeans of sufficient strength so as to keep the device fastened together,such as hook-and-loop fasteners, ties, buttons, snaps, clips, hook andeye fasteners, magnetic plates of opposite polarity, or a combination ofa magnetic plate and a material attractable to the magnetic plate.

Sleep enhancing devices of embodiments of the present invention provithat are effective in occluding light and noise, provide comfortablepadding for the full lateral circumference of a user's head, are easy totransport, and simple and economical to construct.

Any of the sleep-enhancing devices provided herein (e.g., device 10and/or device 20) can include one or more speakers on the insideportions of the devices, the one or more speakers configured todistribute sound (e.g., music) to one or both of a user's ears. In suchfashion, when a user wears the sleep-enhancing device, the user canprovide sound (e.g., music, radio broadcast) to one or both of theuser's ears. In an embodiment, the devices can include two speakers onopposite sides of the devices, each of the speakers configured to comein contact with or be in proximity to a user's ear. In such a case, whenthe user wears the device (e.g., device 10 or device 20), each of thespeakers is adjacent to (or in contact with) a user's ear. In anembodiment, the one or more speakers include an audio port that isconfigured to mate with a music device, such as an MP3 player or aradio. The audio port can be disposed in the pillow portion of thesleep-enhancing devices, such as at the periphery of the pillow portion.In certain embodiments, the one or more speakers are provided in asleep-enhancing device that has a length-adjustable flap portion (e.g.,flap portion 14).

Any of the devices provided herein can include pockets or chambers thatare disposed upon the elongated pillow portions of the devices and thatare suitable for storage of small objects, such as airplane tickets,headphones, cellular telephones, personal electronic devices (e.g.,iPod®, iPhone®) and money.

In another embodiment, any of the sleep-enhancing devices providedherein can include small pockets disposed upon the elongated pillowdevice, which serve to contain headphones, allowing a user to listen tomusic comfortably while wearing the device.

In another embodiment, any of the sleep-enhancing devices providedherein can include one or more holes or ports to permit a user to directone or more headphones from one side of the sleep-enhancing device toanother and bring the one or more headp contact with one or both of auser's ears. This can permit a user to use an audio device (e.g., MP3player), a smart phone, or any other electronic device configured todirect an electrical signal to one or more headphones, while wearing asleep-enhancing device of embodiments of the invention.

In another embodiment, any of the sleep-enhancing devices providedherein can include a removable flap portion, which can be replaced withflap portions of various sizes (larger or small), thereby permitting thesleep-enhancing device to fit an extended range of head sizes.

In another embodiment, any of the sleep-enhancing devices providedherein can include any combination of one or more inserts or objectsthat can be contained within the elongated pillow portions of thedevices, including, but not limited to, vibrating inserts or vibratingobjects, radios, speakers, headphones, alarm clocks, heatable/chillableinserts or objects, scented inserts or objects, magnetic inserts orobjects, heating coils and electrically resistive inserts. For example,the sleep-enhancing device of any of the embodiments of the inventioncan include heating coils configured to come in electrical contact witha control device that provides power to the heading coils, which canprovide heat to a user's head when in use.

In another embodiment, any of the sleep-enhancing devices providedherein can include a removable cover containing the elongated pillowportion. This can permit a user to remove the removable cover forwashing and further use, or to customize the sleep-enhancing device tosuit the user's aesthetic taste. For example, the user can replace aremovable cover of one color and/or texture with a removable cover of asecond color and/or texture. In an embodiment, the removable cover canbe reversible. In such a case, a reverse side of the removable cover canhave a texture and/or color that is different from a first side oremovable cover.

In another embodiment, sleep-enhancing devices of embodiments of theinvention can include a segmented elongated pillow portion. In anembodiment, the segments can be oriented perpendicularly with respect toa long plane (i.e., a plane extending from one end of the elongatedpillow portion to another) of the elongated pillow portion. In anotherembodiment, the segments can be oriented parallel with respect to thelong plane of the elongated pillow portion.

In certain embodiments, the elongated pillow portion can include 1 ormore, or 2 or more, or 3 or more, or 4 or more, or 5 or more, or 6 ormore, or 7 or more, or 8 or more, or 9 or more, or 10 or more pillowindividual pillow members (or pillow portions). In an embodiment, if theelongated pillow portion includes 2 or more pillow members, the 2 ormore pillow members can be attached to one another with the aid ofattachment or fastening members, such as fastening members having fixedlengths (e.g., stitches, strings, staples), fastening members havingvariable lengths (e.g., elastic fastening members), or a combination offastening members having fixed and variable lengths. In an embodiment,if the elongated pillow member includes a first attachment member andsecond attachment member at opposite ends of the elongated pillow,individual pillow members of the elongated pillow member can be joinedwith the aid of fastening members (or fasteners) having fixed lengths.For example, with the exception of individual pillow members at the endsof the elongated pillow members, individual pillow members can be sowntogether. For example, if the elongated pillow members includes a first,second, third and four pillow member, with the first and fourth pillowmembers disposed at the ends of the elongated pillow member, the firstpillow member can be fastened (e.g., sown) to the second pillow member,the second pillow member can be fastened to the third pillow member, andthe third pillow member can be fastened to the fourth pillow member. Thefirst and fourth pillow member can incl attachment members. In anembodiment, either the first or fourth pillow member can include a flapportion having an attachment member. The attachment members areconfigured to mate with one another so as to enable a user to secure (ormount) the elongated pillow to the user's head.

In another embodiment, any of the sleep-enhancing devices providedherein can include various graphics, textures, colors and/or cosmeticattachments, such as, e.g., false ears and false eyes, disposed on theelongated pillow portion so as to make the device appealing to children.For example, a sleep-enhancing device can include cat or dog features.In an embodiment, such graphics, textures, colors and/or cosmeticattachments can be provided on a removable cover portion of thesleep-enhancing device.

In another embodiment, any of the sleep-enhancing devices providedherein can include an elastic band appended to an end of the device,such as at an end of an elongated pillow portion of the sleep-enhancingdevice. The elastic band is configured to contain the sleep-enhancingdevice when it is rolled upon itself, such as, e.g., for storage ortravel.

In another embodiment, any of the sleep-enhancing devices providedherein can include a pocket, formed of an elastic material, attached tothe flap portion of the device, so as to contain the sleep-enhancingdevice when it is rolled upon itself.

In another embodiment, any of the sleep-enhancing devices providedherein can include container for holding a scented filling (or scentedmaterial). In such a case, a user can provide a scented filling in thecontainer for providing a desired scent during use of thesleep-enhancing device. In an embodiment, the container is disposed inthe elongated pillow portion of the sleep-enhancing device. In anotherembodiment, the container is disposed on a cover portion of thesleep-enhancing device. In an alternative embodiment, the container canbe precluded, and the elongated pillow portion can be configured tohouse or conta scented filling.

In another embodiment, any of the sleep-enhancing devices providedherein can include a container for holding a thermal storage filling.The thermal storage filling can be configured to attain an elevated orreduced temperature. In at least some cases, the thermal storage fillingcan be configured to maintain a desired temperature, such as a desiredelevated or reduced temperature. In an embodiment, the container can bedisposed in the elongated pillow portion of the sleep-enhancing device.In another embodiment, the container can be disposed in a cover portionof the sleep-enhancing device.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a sleep-enhancing deviceis provided having a pillow defined by one or more pillow members, andfurther including one or more elastic members disposed between two endsof the pillow. In this alternative embodiment, the attachment members(or fastening means), such as those described above, can be precluded.In an embodiment, the elastic members are nonremovably (or permanently)attached to the pillow. In a preferable embodiment, the pillow isconfigured to fully encircle a user's head. In an embodiment, the pillowand elastic members define a unitary (or single-piece) sleep-enhancingdevice. In an embodiment, the sleep-enhancing device with one or moreelastic members is donut-shaped.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a sleep-enhancing deviceis provided having a pillow defined by one donut-shaped pillow member.In certain embodiments, the attachment members (or fastening means),such as those described above, can be precluded.

In another aspect of the invention, a sleep-enhancing device isprovided, the sleep-enhancing device comprising a pillow with endsfastened together with the aid of fastening members.

In an embodiment, the pillow is an elongated pillow. In an embodimenpillow can include 1 or more, or 2 or more, or 3 or more, or 4 or more,or 5 or more, or 6 or more, or 7 or more, or 8 or more, or 9 or more, or10 or more pillow members. In an embodiment, if the pillow includes 2 ormore pillow members, the 2 or more pillow members can be attached to oneanother with the aid of attachment or fastening members, such asfastening members having fixed lengths (e.g., stitches, strings,staples), fastening members having variable lengths (e.g., elasticfastening members), or a combination of fastening members having fixedand variable lengths.

With reference to FIG. 5, a pillow a sleep-enhancing device 30 isprovided, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The device 30includes an elongated pillow portion (also “elongated pillow” and“pillow portion” herein) 32 and fastening members 34. The fasteningmembers 34 are attached to opposite ends of the elongated pillow portion32. The pillow portion 32 can be as described above in other embodimentsof the invention. While three fastening members are illustrated, thedevice 30 can include any number of fastening members. The device 30 isconfigured to encircle a user's head.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, the device 30 can include 1 or more,or 2 or more, or 3 or more, or 4 or more, or 5 or more, or 6 or more, or7 or more, or 8 or more, or 9 or more, or 10 or more, or 15 or more, or20 or more fastening members. For example, the device 30 can include asingle fastening member 34. As another example, the device 30 caninclude three fastening members 34. Each of the fastening members 34 canhave any length and width suitable to enable the device 30 to encircle auser's head and to remain attached to the user's head. In addition, thefastening members 34 can be elastic. The fastening members 34 can havevariable lengths, permitting the device 30 to mount heads of varioussizes.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, the elongated pillow portion 32 carplurality of pillow members. The elongated pillow portion 32 can include2 or more, or 3 or more, or 4 or more, or 5 or more, or 10 or more, or15 or more, or 20 or more individual pillow members. The individualpillow members can be fastened together with the aid of attachmentmembers (not shown). In some cases, at least some of the attachmentmembers can be elastic fastening members. If the elongated pillowportion 32 comprises a plurality of pillow members, the device 30 caninclude a cover member to cover the plurality of pillow members, therebygiving the elongated pillow portion 32 the look of a single-piece pillowportion.

In an alternative embodiment, the fastening members 34 can have discrete(or predefined) lengths suitable for conforming to various headcircumferences. A user can adjust the length of the fastening members 34to conform to enable the device 30 to mount the users head and cover theuser's eyes and ears.

In another aspect of the invention, a single-piece sleep-enhancingdevice is provided.

With reference to FIG. 6, a single-piece sleep-enhancing device 40 isprovided, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The device40 includes a pillow portion 42 that is configured to encircle a user'shead. The pillow portion 42 is a single donut-shaped pillow memberconfigured to slip over the top of the user's head. The device 40 isconfigured to encircle a user's head.

In an embodiment, the device 40 can include a plurality of pillowmembers fastened together and enclosed in a cover to provide asingle-piece pillow. The pillow portion 42 can include 2 or more, or 3or more, or 4 or more, or 5 or more, or 10 or more, or 15 or more, or 20or more individual pillow members fastened together with the aid offastening members. At least some of the fastening members can be elasticfasteni members, permitting the device 40 to conform to various headcircumferences.

With continued reference to FIG. 6, the pillow portion 42 can comprisesoft material configured to provide padding to a user's head whileminimizing, if not eliminating, light and sound from entering a user'seyes and ears, respectively.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been described above, itwill be appreciated that embodiments of the invention can be combinedwith (or modified in view of) one another to provide alternativeembodiments not described herein.

It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particularimplementations have been illustrated and described, variousmodifications can be made thereto and are contemplated herein. It isalso not intended that the invention be limited by the specific examplesprovided within the specification. While the invention has beendescribed with reference to the aforementioned specification, thedescriptions and illustrations of the preferable embodiments herein arenot meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Furthermore, it shall beunderstood that all aspects of the invention are not limited to thespecific depictions, configurations or relative proportions set forthherein which depend upon a variety of conditions and variables. Variousmodifications in form and detail of the embodiments of the inventionwill be apparent to a person skilled in the art. It is thereforecontemplated that the invention shall also cover any such modifications,variations and equivalents.

1. A sleep-enhancing device, comprising: an elongated pillow portionconfigured to fully encircle a user's head, the elongated pillow portionconfigured to cover a user's eyes and ears when encircling the user'shead, the elongated pillow portion configured to provide padding to alateral circumference of a user's head when encircling the user's head;and attachment members disposed on opposite ends of the elongated pillowportion, the attachment members configured to mount the pillow portionto a user's head.
 2. The sleep-enhancing device of claim 1, wherein theattachment members comprise a first attachment member and a secondattachment member, the first attachment member configured to beremovably connected to the second attachment member at various pointsalong the second attachment member.
 3. The sleep-enhancing device ofclaim 2, wherein the second attachment member is formed of a materialattractable to the first attachment member.
 4. (canceled)
 5. Thesleep-enhancing device of claim 1, wherein the attachment members arereleasable attachment members.
 6. The sleep-enhancing device of claim 5,wherein the releasable attachment members are patches of hook-and-loopmaterial.
 7. The sleep-enhancing device of claim 1, wherein theelongated pillow portion includes a first layer of opaque material and asecond layer of opaque material.
 8. (canceled)
 9. (canceled)
 10. Thesleep-enhancing device of claim 7, wherein the first layer of materialand the second layer of material enclose a material configured to impedesound.
 11. The sleep-enhancing device of claim 10, wherein said materialis selected from the group consisting of polyfiber fill, air, foam,cotton and wool.
 12. A sleep-enhancing device, comprising: an elongatedpillow portion configured to surround the lateral circumference of auser's head, the elongated pillow portion configured to cover a user'seyes and ears when surrounding the user's head; a flap portion attachedto a first end of the elongated pillow portion; a first attachmentmember disposed on the flap portion; and a second attachment memberdisposed on a second end of the elongated pillow portion, the second endbeing opposite the first end, wherein the first and second attachmentmembers are configured to mount the elongated pillow portion to a user'shead so as to cover the user's eyes and ears and provide padding for thelateral circumference of the user's head.
 13. The sleep-enhancing deviceof claim 12, wherein the first attachment member is configured to beremovably connected to the second attachment member at various points onthe second attachment member.
 14. The sleep-enhancing device of claim12, wherein the first and second attachment members define a releasableattachment member.
 15. The sleep-enhancing device of claim 14, whereinthe releasable attachment member comprises a hook-and-loop material. 16.(canceled)
 17. The sleep-enhancing device of claim 12, wherein theelongated pillow portion includes a first opaque layer and a secondopaque layer.
 18. (canceled)
 19. (canceled)
 20. The sleep-enhancingdevice of claim 17, wherein the first and second layer enclose amaterial that impedes sound.
 21. (canceled)
 22. The sleep-enhancingdevice of claim 12, wherein the elongated pillow portion is configuredto fully encircle a user's head.
 23. A sleep-enhancing device,comprising: an elongated pillow, the elongated pillow defined by one ormore pillow members, the elongated pillow configured to wrap around auser's head with the aid of attachment members disposed at opposite endsof the elongated pillow, the elongated pillow configured to cover auser's eyes and ears, wherein the elongated pillow is configured tofully encompass a user's head.
 24. The sleep-enhancing device of claim23, wherein the attachment members include a first attachment memberdisposed on a first end of the elongated pillow and a second attachmentmember disposed on second end of the elongated pillow.
 25. Thesleep-enhancing device of claim 24, wherein the first and secondattachment members are configured to be removably attached to oneanother.
 26. The sleep-enhancing device of claim 23, wherein theelongated pillow is configured to wrap around a user's head.
 27. Thesleep-enhancing device of claim 23, wherein the attachment members areformed of an elastic material.
 28. A sleep-enhancing device, comprising:an elongated pillow having one or more pillow members, the elongatedpillow configured to cover a user's eyes and ears, wherein the elongatedpillow has an adjustable length.
 29. (canceled)